High voltage electric circuit interrupter



- Nov. 9, 1937. H. v. ERBEN HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERFiled March 12. 1937 of! Lea-fel Insulation Inventor: He1^n-g V 6.

Er; beh, His Attov'neg Patented Nov. 9, 1.937

HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTER- BUPTER Henry V. Erben,Philadelphia, Pa., assigner t General Electric Company, a corporation ofNew York Application March 12, 1937, Serial No. 130,505

8 Claims.

My invention relates to electric circuit interrupters for high voltagepower circuits, more particularly to high speed electric circuitbreakers of the explosion chamber type for opening a high voltagealternating current power circuit Within a few cycles.

Multiple break electric circuit interrupters oi' the liquid-blast typehave heretofore been proposed wherein the arc pressure created for driv-10 ing an arc-extinguishing liquid, such as oil,

through a plurality of breaks formed upon opening oi' the circuitdepended upon an initial circuit opening movement. This initial movementwas prior to formation of the arc or arcs which were subjected to theliquid blast. Accordingly in this form of circuit breaker, although theinterrupting action is positive and very reliable, the interruptingblast is not made effective until after the contact structure hasreached a point in its opening travel appreciably beyond the initialtravel necessary to create the arc pressure. This is a particularlyimportant consideration where an interrupting time of but a few cyclesis specified for the breaker, since. in addition to the g5 time lost dueto the inertia of the moving parts, the interrupting time is furtherlengthencd by the time required i'or the movable contact structure tomove through the distance necessitated by the additional contactseparation.

In this type of breaker it is also necessary that the movable contactstructure be separated in the open circuit position from the fixed orcoacting explosion chamber structure. so that the spaced contacts areadequately isolated and insu- ;5 lated by the liquid dielectric withrespect to high voltages. This isolating distance is considerablygreater than the amount of separation required for actual arcinterruption.

The principal object of my invention is the ,0 provision of an improvedhigh speed multiple break electric circuit interrupter of the explosionchamber type which is effective to create arc pressure for interruptingthe circuit within the explosion chamber immediately upon initial sep- 5aration ofthe contact' structure within the explosion chamber and priorto the isolating operation.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following descriptionreferring to the acn companying drawing, and the features of noveltywhich characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularityin the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawing the single figure 5 thereof is an elevationalview. partly in section, of

(Cl. 20G-150) one pole oi' an oil circuit breaker embodying the presentinvention.

'I'here is illustrated by the drawing one pole of a tank-type oilcircuit breaker circuit position wherein a pair of structures,

in the closed fixed contact one of which is indicated at i areinterconnected by a bridging member 2 in the closed circuit position.The bridging member 2 is operated vertically in the usual lift rod 3 foropening and closing the breaker.

The fixed contact structure I manner by a comprises essentially apressure-confining or explosion chamber which is formed in the presentcylindrical insulating member 4 c mechanically strong insulatingmaterial such as The chamber l' so formed is fiber, for example.

instance by a omposed of a substantially closed at its opposite ends andis immersed as indicated in a suitable insulating and arc-extinguishingliquid such as oil.

For the purpose of forming a plurality of breaks in series within theexplosion chamber, contact structure mounted for limited movement isdisposed therein comprising individually pivoted contact members 5, 6and 1. 'Ihese contact members are each resiliently connected to aninsulating operating carriage 8 with respect to circuit closing movementand are directly engaged by said operating carriage through overhanging'pins 8 with respect to movement or circuit opening direction. The tactmembers 5, 6 and 1 co fixed contacts 8, I0 and Il the side walls of thecasing l The in the opposite movable conact respectively with suitablymounted in lower contact 'l is electrically connected through a exibleconductor i2 to a butt contact member I3 which is engaged in the closedcircuit position by the butt contact 2' of the bridging member 2. 'I'hebutt contact Il is mounted on the carriage 8.

The circuit through the breaker circuit position beginning with thefixed terminal structure generally indicated at Il in the closedcomprises the conducting adapter structure i5 to which the contact 8 isconnected conductor I8, contact I0 coacting pivoted contact 1 andcoacting butt contacts Il and The contacts downward in the circuitopening spring Il. It shall be understood pivoted contact i, flexibleand coacting pivoted contact B. flexible conductor I1, contact Il andflexible conductor i2 so as to opof opening of the pivoted contacts canreadily be variedii' desired. The contact the closed circuit position bythe b s are held in ridging mem- 56 ber 2 which engages the carriageunit 8 through the butt contact I3 so as to hold the same against thebias of spring I8 in its upper closed circuit position.

Referring more particularly to the specific structure employed in thepresent instance, the xed terminal structure at I4 comprises the adapterI5 which is connected in a Well-known manner to the lower end ofthelead-in conductor and bushing extending through the circuit breakertank cover. The insulating cylinder 4 is-suitably clamped as at I9 tothe adapter so as to extend in vertical depending relation therewith.The upper end of the carriage 8 is provided with a guide extension 20which is vertically movable in the adapter l5.

The movable Contact members 5, 6 and 1 are suitably mounted with respectto the side walls of the casing 4 as by pivotal supports 5', 6 and 1"respectively, In the closed circuit position shown each contact isbiased into engagement with its coacting contact by a spring 2| which isseated between a strut 22 secured to the carriage and the pivotedcontact. This resilient connection provides, among other things,sufiicient wipe at the contacts in order to compensate for slightinequalities in spacing of the contacts and in order to preventexcessive shock during the circuit closing position.

The lower part of the casing 4 is substantially closed by the buttcontact I3 and an end cap 23 which is suitably secured at 24 to theinsulating cylinder. The butt contact I3 is provided with a guideextension I3' movable in a guide plate 25 which forms a part of thecarriage 8. The springs 26 provide a resilient mounting for the contactand permit a limited "wipe" at 21 with respect to the carriage 8. Theplate member 25, which overhangs the end plate 23 for limiting downwardmovement, is provided with an annular depending flange 28 having a stopmember 29 for limiting upward movement of the carriage with respect tothe end cap 23.

For the purpose of utilizing the arc pressure generated within theexplosion chamber immediately upon initial separation of the contacts,there are provided exhaust ports in the chamber walls opposite eitherall or some of the breaks, so that arc pressure created within thechamber is effective to drive oil through the exhaust ports forinterrupting the arc at those points. In the present arrangement a pairof diverging ports 3|) for splitting the arc into two sections islocated adjacent and immediately opposite each of the breaks at thexedcontacts 9, I0 and II. Accordingly arc pressure within the chamber tendsto drive two diverging jets of oil transversely across the arc at eachbreak. Where interrupting requirements make a higher chamber pressuremore desirable, the ports opposite the break 6-I 0 can be closed.

For the purpose of minimizing the concentration of arc gases betweenvarious breaks, the exhaust ports are preferably disposed in staggeredrelation at opposite sides as illustrated. This unbalance in thearrangement of breaks also tends to create pressure behind some arcs soas to drive the oil more effectively through those arcs. The portswithin the chamber are faced with suitable arc resisting materialindicated at 30'.

Since the interrupting operation above described takes place immediatelyafter the main bridging member 2 has dropped but a short distance, itwill be apparent that the time of separation of the two butt contacts 2'and I3 is immaterial in so far as the speed of arc interruption isconcerned. Further lowering of the bridging member 2 in accordance withthe circuit opening operation results in separation of the aforesaidbutt contacts when the plate 25 limits the lower travel of the contactcarriage at the end cap 23. The bridging member can then be separated adesired isolating distance within the oil from the fixed explosionchamber structure.

Although the pins 8 secured to the carriage cause positive openingmovement of the pivoted contacts practically immediately upon initialopening movement of the bridging member 2, it will be noted that thepivoted contacts by reason of the resilient connection at 2I can move inadvance of the pins B' when so urged by pressure created by heavy powerarcs. This accelerated contact separation tends to open the portsquickly so" as to facilitate the arc interrupting oil blast.

When` the breaker is closed the bridging member 2 is elevated to engagethe butt contact I3 which urges, through the resilient' connection at26, the carriage 8 upward to the closed circuit position shown, so thatthere is a slight degree of wipe as determined by the stop member 29.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to spectificdetails of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, andthat changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is,-

1. An electric circuit interrupter of the explosion chamber typecomprising an insulating casing forming a pressure-confining chamber, anarc-extinguishing liquid substantially lling said chamber, a pluralityof contact members, each pivotally mounted with respect to said casingdisposed within said chamber, coacting fixed contact structure arrangedto form with said contact members a plurality of breaks in series in thecircuit, said casing having a. pressure exhaust port opposite end ofsaid breaks, an operating member for moving said contact memberssubstantially in unison, a butt contact connected in series with saidcontact members and carried by said operating member at one end of saidchamber, and a movable switch member for coacting with said butt contactexteriorly of said chamber.

2. An electric circuit interrupter of the explosion chamber typecomprising an arc-extinguishing liquid, an insulating casing forming apressure-confining chamber immersed in said liquid, contact structurearranged to form a plurality of breaks in series in the circuit withinsaid chamber including a plurality of movable contact members, coastingfixed contacts mounted with respect to said casing and an operatingcarriage connected to said contact members for moving the same inunison, said casing having exhaust ports adjacent and opposite breaksformed at contact members arranged so that arc pressure created withinsaid chamber causes interruption of the arc at said breaks and aresilient connection between-said operating carriage and the contactmembers opposite said exhaust ports for permitting independent accelera-.tion of the opening movement of said contact members in response to arcpressure.

3. An electric circuit breaker of the explosion chamber type comprisingan arc-extinguishing liquid, an insulating casing forming apressureconning chamber immersed in said liquid, relatively movablecontact structure mounted within said chamber for forming a plurality ofbreaks in series in the circuit including a plurality of independentlypivoted contact members and coacting fixed contacts, said casing havingexhaust ports opposite the breaks formed at said pivoted contactmembers, said ports being alternately staggered with respect to oppositesides of said chamber, and operating means connected to said pivotedcontacts for operating the same substantially in unison.

4. An electric circuit breaker of the explosion chamber type comprisingan arc-extinguishing liquid, an insulating casing forming apressureconfining chamber immersed in said liquid, relatively movablecontact structure mounted within said chamber arranged toA form aplurality of breaks in series in the circuit including a plurality ofindependently pivoted contact members and xed coacting contacts, saidcasing having exhaust ports adjacent and opposite breaks formed atcontact members arranged so that arc pressure within said chamber drivesarc-extinguishing liquid through the arc at said breaks, an operatingcarriage for moving said pivoted contact members substantially in unisonincluding rigid means for effecting immediate and positive openingmovement of said contact members and a resilient connection between saidcarriage and each of said contact members for permitting independentlimited opening movement of said contact members in response to arcpressure.

5. An electric circuit breaker ci the liquid blast type comprising meansforming a pressure conning casing, an arc-extinguishing liquid in whichsaid casing is immersed, relatively movable contacts mounted within saidchamber arranged to form at least two breaks in series in the circuit tobe interrupted, said casing having an exhaust port disposed adjacent andopposite one of said breaks and arranged so that arc pressure createdwithin said chamber is effective to drive arc-extinguishing liquidthrough said port to extinguish the arc thereat, and a movable switchmember operable Within said liquid exteriorly of said chamber forcontrolling the movable contact structure in said chamber and being inseries therewith, circuit opening movement of said switch member causinginitially separation of the contact structure within said chamber forinterrupting the circuit and subsequently separation of said switchmember from said contact structure to form an isolating gap in saidliquid.

6. An electric circuit breaker oi' the liquid blast type comprisingrelatively movable contact structure separable within anarc-extinguishing liquid, means forming an insulating pressure confiningchamber for enclosing a comparatively fixed portion of said contactstructure, said fixed portion including a plurality of contact elementsadapted to form a plurality of breaks in series in the circuit, saidchamber being provided with exhaust ports disposed adjacent and oppositecertain of said breaks so that arc pressure created within said chamberis effective to drive arc-extinguishing liquid through the breaks atsaid ports, means for biasing said contact elements towards open-circuitposition, and movable switch structure coacting with said contactelements exteriorly of said pressure-confining chamber so as to biassaid contact elements to the closed circuit position and to breakconnection therewith subsequent to circuit-opening movement of saidcontact elements.

7. An electric circuit breaker of the liquid blast type comprisingrelatively xed contact structure adapted to form a plurality of breaksin series, an insulating casing forming a pressure-confining chamber forsaid contact structure, a movable switch member adapted to be connectedin series with said fixed contact structure operable exteriorly of saidchamber, an arcextinguishing liquid in which said iixed and movablecontact structures are immersed, said insulating casing having exhaustports adjacent and opposite certain of said breaks so that arc pressurecreated within said chamber is effective to drive arc-extinguishingliquid through the breaks at said ports, said movable switch memberbeing operative to bias said fixed contact structure to close saidbreaks in the circuit-closing operation and adapted in thecircuit-opening operation to form an isolating break with respect tosaid fixed structure subsequent to formation of the aforesaid breaks insaid chamber.

B. An electric circuit breaker of the liquid blast type comprising a xedinsulating casing forming an explosion chamber, relatively movablecontacts mounted for limited movement within said chamber and arrangedto form a plurality of breaks in series in the circuit, anarc-extinguishing liquid in which said insulating casing is immersed,said insulating casing having exhaust ports adjacent and oppositecertain of said breaks so that arc pressure created within said chamberis effective to drive arc-extinguishing liquid through the arcs at saidbreaks, means for operating as a unit said contact structure within saidexplosion chamber and a coacting movable switch member operable in saidarc-extinguishing liquid exteriorly of said chamber for biasing saidunit to the closed circuit position in accordance with thecircuit-closing operation and for controlling opening movement of saidunit in accordance with initial circuit-opening movement of said switchmember, the circuit-opening operation within said chamber beingeiiective to interrupt said circuit independently of said movable switchmember, said movable switch member being movable into saidarc-extinguishing liquid so as to form an isolating gap between saidmember and said explosion chamber.

HENRY V. ERBEN.

CERTIFICATE 0I- ooRREcTIoN.

Patent No. 2,098,801. NoYembe-r 9, 195'?,

HENRY V. ERBEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,second column, line )4.6, claim 1,'for the word "end" read each; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice. Signed and sealed this 25th day of January, A. D. 1958.

. Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

DISCLAIMER 2,098,801.-Henry V. Erben, Philadelphie, Pa. HIGH VOLTAGEELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. Patent dated November 9, 1937. Disclaimerfiled June 16, 1939, by the asslgnee, General Electric Company. Herebrenters this disclaimer to claim 1 in said specification.

I cml Gazette July 11, 1939.]

